New Unincorporated LA County Law: Rental Units Must Stay Below 82°F — What Landlords and Tenants Need to Know
Extreme heat is becoming a serious issue in Southern California, and Los Angeles County has responded with a new law designed to protect renters from dangerously hot living conditions. A recently adopted county ordinance will require many rental homes to maintain safer indoor temperatures, marking a major change to local housing habitability standards.
*Note: This law applies only to unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. It does NOT apply to incorporated cities within the county, including the City of Los Angeles.
If you are a landlord or tenant in unincorporated Los Angeles County, this new rule may directly affect you.
Below is what you need to know about the new cooling requirements.
A New Maximum Indoor Temperature Rule
Los Angeles County has adopted an ordinance requiring rental housing in unincorporated areas of the county to maintain safe indoor temperatures. This law applies only to areas in unincorporated Los Angeles County.
Under the law, rental units must be capable of maintaining an indoor temperature of no more than 82°F.
This requirement applies to habitable rooms, which generally include:
- Bedrooms
- Living rooms
- Kitchens
- Dining rooms
Certain rooms are excluded from the 82° requirement. Bathrooms, closets, hallways, and similar spaces are not considered habitable rooms for purposes of the ordinance.
The county adopted this rule in response to increasing heat waves and the growing recognition that excessive indoor heat can create serious health risks, especially for elderly residents, children, and individuals with medical conditions.
The Law Does Not Require Central Air Conditioning
One important point is that the ordinance does not require installation of central air conditioning, air conditioning wall unit, or any specific cooling system.
Instead, landlords must ensure that the unit has a safe and effective method of maintaining indoor temperatures at or below 82°F.
Compliance may be achieved in many different ways, including:
- Air conditioning systems
- Portable or window AC units
- Improved insulation
- Reflective roofing
- Shading or ventilation improvements
- Other cooling strategies that allow the unit to stay below the required temperature
Key Compliance Deadlines
The ordinance will take effect in stages.
Most Landlords
For most rental property owners, units must be capable of maintaining 82°F or lower in all habitable rooms by January 1, 2027.
This means landlords should begin evaluating whether their properties can satisfy the temperature requirement as soon as possible to prepare their units so that they can meet this deadline.
Small Property Landlords
Certain smaller property owners receive a longer phase-in period.
A Small Property Landlord generally includes landlords who:
- Own one rental property with no more than ten rental units, or
- Own up to three rental properties with a combined total of no more than ten units, including properties outside Los Angeles County, or
- Receive a Homeowners’ Property Tax Exemption for the property where the rental unit is located.
Small property landlords must comply with the following timeline:
- By January 1, 2027, at least one habitable room per unit must be capable of maintaining 82°F or lower.
- By January 1, 2032, all habitable rooms must meet the 82°F requirement.
Certain ownership structures do NOT qualify as small property landlords, including:
- Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
- Corporations
- LLCs with corporate members or corporate control
- Partnerships with corporate partners
Tenants Now Have the Right to Install Cooling Devices
The ordinance also provides new protections for renters.
Tenants are allowed to install portable cooling devices, such as:
- Plug-in air conditioners
- Portable AC units
- Fans
Tenants must give at least five (5) days written notice before installing a portable cooling device so the landlord is aware of the additional electrical demand.
Tenants may also use non-mechanical cooling methods, such as shading, ventilation, or other cooling techniques, at their own expense.
Just as importantly, the law prohibits landlords from:
- Evicting tenants for installing portable cooling devices
- Charging additional rent or fees because a tenant installs a cooling device
- Retaliating against tenants who use cooling devices
- Passing the cost of installing portable cooling devices to tenants
Electrical Systems and Safety
Although the ordinance does not require landlords to upgrade electrical systems, Los Angeles County recommends ensuring that rental units can safely support common cooling devices.
Electrical systems that are up to code and capable of supporting plug-in air conditioners or fans will help prevent safety issues and make compliance easier.
Landlords may also be eligible for programs or financing options that assist with capital improvements needed to meet the new requirements.
Where This Law Applies
The new cooling ordinance applies only to rental housing located in unincorporated Los Angeles County.
It does not automatically apply to incorporated cities, including:
- Los Angeles
- Santa Monica
- Pasadena
- Glendale
- Long Beach
Cities must pass their own laws for similar rules to apply within city limits.
Major Communities Affected
Many large communities fall within unincorporated Los Angeles County, including:
- East Los Angeles
- Hacienda Heights
- Rowland Heights
- Altadena
- Westmont
- Florence-Firestone
- Lennox
- Willowbrook
- West Carson
- Valinda
- Walnut Park
- Avocado Heights
- Stevenson Ranch
- Quartz Hill
- Lake Los Angeles
Residents and property owners in these communities should become familiar with the new ordinance well before the January 1, 2027 compliance deadline.
Why This New Rule Matters
As climate patterns change and heat waves become more frequent in Southern California, maintaining a comfortable, sufficiently cool temperature has become an increasingly important habitability and public health issue.
The new ordinance is intended to ensure that rental housing remains safe, livable, and healthier during extreme heat conditions.
Both landlords and tenants should begin preparing now so they understand their rights and responsibilities under the new law.
Questions About the New Cooling Law?
If you are a tenant with questions about your rights or a landlord seeking guidance on how to comply with the new ordinance, we can help.
For immediate assistance, contact:
Madeline B. Liebreich, Esq.
Immediate consultations available
Phone: 213-595-1337
Email: [email protected]
